WINTER 2011
COMMUNITY MAGAZINE
Bethel Park Fire Department CONTINUES TO EDUCATE John DelMonte A Renaissance Painter! safety-driven
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" $ #$" $ $ " & $ Whether you’re hosting a large holiday party for clients, customers and employees, a chic cocktail hour or a celebratory lunch, Market District Catering & Event Planners can work with your budget, time frame and appetite to develop a menu as unique and successful as your business. Choose from our NEW Catering & Event Planning Menu filled with both the simple and sensational, including: • Artisan cheese, charcuterie and antipasti platters • Fresh-baked muffins, bagels and donut breakfast platters • Housemade candy, cookie & dessert platters • Fresh-made sandwiches & wraps • Holiday appetizer party packs • Tender, fresh-grilled meats & gourmet sides • Housemade pizzas Host an event that sets you apart from your competitors in a deliciously easy way! Please call 48 hours in advance.
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! ( $# ' $ " $ #$ ! ( $# ' $ " $ #$ Ranging acr across osss popular themes, Holiday Baskets our line of Ho olidaayy Gift Bask ets mak es gift-givi ng a piece of cak e. makes gift-giving cake. Choose fr om m mor from moree than 20 unique,, hand-packaged hand-paackaged collections. For For a complete complete list list of of hholiday oliday ay ggift ift ft bbaskets, askets, pplease lease vvisit isit MarketDistrict.com/EventPlanning M arketDistrict.com/EventPlanning aand nd ppre-order re-order yo yyours ours ttoday! oday ay!
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IN Bethel Park is a community publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the Bethel Park area and its comprising municipalities by focusing on the talents and gifts of the people who live and work here. Our goal is to provide readers with the most informative and professional regional publication in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
INSIDE
IN Bethel Park | WINTER 2011 |
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FEATURES
Real Estate in Bethel Park | 34 INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Northwest Savings Bank | 11 ON THE COVER
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Local Loan Experts: Manager Pat Funwela and Bethel Park’s Northwest Savings Bank
The Bethel Park Fire Department showcased antique fire trucks at its annual Open House.
The Goddard School | 15 Brain Development at Young Ages
Bill Flinn Insurance Agency | 33 If a Tree Falls in the Neighborhood and No One is There to Hear it...Does Your Insurance Cover It?
Ameriprise Financial | 50 Parents: The Lender of Last Resort
Dr. Daniel Rairigh | 52 12
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Straighter Teeth in Six Months
Swift Audiology | 55 COMMUNITY INTEREST
Friends of the Montour Trail
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Rotary Club of Upper St. Clair-Bethel Park
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Bethel Park’s Renaissance Painter
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Bethel Park Lions Club
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Eagle Scout Gains Community Support for Soldiers
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Cardio Tennis for Health and Fitness at USCTDP
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Leaving on Good Terms
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The Blessings Keep Growing
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UPMC Today |
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Let the Countdown Begin
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Bethel Park Community Day
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New Earned Income Tax Law
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A Tiny Electronic Device, Turned Back Time and Restored The Quality Of My Life!
learn more on page 6 Bethel Park | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 3
IN Bethel Park | WINTER 2011 |
elcome to the Winter issue of Bethel Park magazine. I hope you and yours had a wonderful fall, that the kids transitioned back to school well, and that you had an opportunity to catch a few Steelers games along the way. We all view winter differently—some see it as the holiday season, some see it as the gloomy period when we put away the swim trunks and patio furniture. Others see it as their opportunity to break out the skis and sleds and hit the slopes. No matter how you view it, winter is a time when we have to be the most diligent, despite our mood about snow, or our preoccupation with playing in it, for those who need us the most—our seniors. While it’s hard enough for many of them to get around in good weather, the winter months can be a trial of terror for the elderly. Who’s going to shovel the snow? How will I get groceries? Will I be home before it’s too dark for me to see the road well enough to drive? And for those who have transitioned to assisted living facilities, the questions might be of an altogether different, but equally unsettling nature. Will anyone Wayne Dollard visit me for Christmas? Hanukkah? New Year’s? These are our Publisher mothers, fathers, friends and neighbors, and they don’t like to ask anything of us. But they need us just the same. I know the economy is bad, and I’m not saying go out and spend money you can’t afford, but going caroling with a church group, or visiting someone who has no one is free to us all. Chances are, you’ll not only put a smile on their faces, you’ll be giving them something money can’t buy—the feeling that someone cares.
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PUBLISHER
MANAGING EDITOR
REGIONAL EDITORS
OFFICE MANAGER
AD PLACEMENT COORDINATOR
GRAPHIC DESIGN
WRITERS
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Have a joyous holiday and a happy New Year!
PROOFREADER
of
s the holiday season approaches, I hope you’ll step away from the list making and cookie baking for just a few minutes to enjoy the information we have compiled for this edition Bethel Park Magazine. Our goal in offering you this magazine is to provide a bit of insight into the community. Some of our most interesting features focus on residents and their passion in all things “community.” As you are going through your busy days (and holiday parties), please don’t forget to let us know about any person or organization who you feel would be interesting for us to write about. We get some of our best story ideas from, and are so inspired, by our readers! In planning this winter edition I was so impressed with the work of Eagle Scout Ben Brownfield. He has been collecting items for Operation Troop Appreciation and has done such a Marybeth Jeffries wonderful job! As a former military family, I can attest to the fact Managing Editor that these soldiers really appreciate any care packages from home. You deserve our thanks, Ben, for supporting our troops in such a tangible way. From all of us at Community Magazines, we hope your holiday will be filled with a good dose of peace, a little bit of joy and surrounded by the love and companionship of those who mean the most to you.
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This magazine is carrier route mailed to all district households and businesses. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Copyright 2011. CORRESPONDENCE Direct all inquiries, comments and press releases to: IN Community Magazines Attn: Editorial 603 East McMurray Road McMurray, PA 15317 Ph: 724.942.0940 Fax: 724.942.0968 www.incommunitymagazines.com
Spring content deadline: 1/24
– TA Baron
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Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.
TRAIL N
Friends of the MONTOUR Volunteers Work Year Round ow that the bridge is complete, the Bethel Park Friends of the Montour Trail will be focusing on maintenance and upkeep this winter. The Bethel Park Friends group is responsible for maintaining the entire section from the beginning of the trail at Logan Road through the intersection at Limestone to the municipal line, branch mile markers 0 to 2.1. They also maintain another short stretch of the trail at mile markers 35.0 to 35.3 near Lindenbrooke Apartments and often mow from the municipal line to Brush Run Road. Maintenance includes mowing, trimming the vegetation, removing debris, and leveling the surface as well as any additional upkeep that may be needed. The dedicated group of 5-10 volunteers meets every second and fourth Saturday of the month at 8:30 at the Irishtown parking lot, rain or shine. “Every time we meet, there’s always something that needs to be done,” said Peter Kohnke, president of the Bethel Park Friends of the Montour Trail. The group is looking for more able-bodied volunteers to continue with maintenance in the future. While the traffic on the trail does taper off in winter months, people still use the trail even when it’s covered in snow. Snow removal isn’t necessary but maintenance is still needed during the winter and early spring to address any storm damage such as fallen limbs. If the weather is bearable and footing is reasonably secure, the Friends of the Montour Trail are out there keeping the trail usable and beautiful. The Friends of the Trail group is grateful that the municipality takes care of emptying the trash cans along the trail and picks up the pile of branches after they have been cut. The bridge surface won’t require any maintenance but the Bethel Park Volunteer Fire Department will be hosing it off to remove any salt, leaves, debris, or nests that may have collected in the rafters. Since the bridge completion, the Bethel Park portion of the trail has seen an increase in traffic. “Bethel Park may be one of the most used sections of the Montour Trail,” said Kohnke. All of the maintenance on the trail is handled by volunteers through generous donations from community members and businesses in the area. Their last fundraiser of the year, Pennies for the Trail, was held on October 8 and raised over $1,000 for maintenance and improvements. Additional fundraisers such as the annual J.R. Taylor Memorial Race will be held in the spring or early summer. The group plans to add some low growing ornamental trees near the bridge in the future.
WANT TO HELP? If you enjoy the trail on a regular basis, consider helping out in any of the following ways: • Join the Montour Trail Council at www.montourtrail.org. • Volunteer with your local work group Bethel Friends of the Montour Trail by contacting Peter Kohnke at kohnke340@comcast.net. • Donate at a local fundraiser or online at www.montourtrail.org.
Bethel Park | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 5
The employees of Peoples Natural Gas – more than 650 strong – are bringing a new sense of energy to Western Pennsylvania. With Peoples now fully Pittsburgh based and run, decisions are being made locally -- with an eye to investing for the energy future of the region. We're making $100 million in infrastructure, service and technology upgrades to better serve our more than 360,000 customers. Customer service is becoming fully local, too... with a dedicated new service center staffed by experienced people who thoroughly know the region and its people. Our vision: to help Western Pennsylvania move forward by creating new jobs and serving our customers well. It's a commitment we're proud to make.
In the photo: DAVE BERTONI / FITTER LEADER
y o u r e n e r g y p a rt n e r
peoples–ga s.com
safety-driven Peoples Natural Gas is embarking on an extensive program to modernize our infrastructure. More than $100 million will be invested to replace pipelines throughout our 16 county service territory. In 2011 and 2012, this means replacing 40 miles of old cast-iron pipes wherever they exist. This year and next, Peoples Natural Gas is hiring 60 new pipeline workers. And, we’ ll need to employ almost as many local contract workers. Last year, we brought back 200 jobs to the region. These are not temporary jobs, but family sustaining jobs – the type of jobs that generations build on. Through the end of 2012, you will see Peoples Natural Gas employees hard at work on this project. They will be working in the snow and sun to improve the infrastructure for our communities. Our goal is to replace all the cast iron pipe in our entire system. This is an extensive project and we will need your patience and understanding as we work to complete it. In 2010, Peoples Natural Gas was purchased from anI out-of-state company. We are now a Western Pennsylvania managed company. All our management lives in the region. Our sole priority is serving our local communities. Our new company has refocused its total efforts right here. This pipeline replacement program is the first major construction initiative of Peoples Natural Gas and it has been made for your safety, and the need to modernize our infrastructure for the future.
Safety is the number one priority of Peoples Natural Gas. Every day, we strive to keep our customers, our employees and our communities safe. Here are 3 Sensible Words about Natural Gas to help keep you and your family safe. Natural gas leaks are rare. But they can happen. Your senses will alert you if a leak occurs. SIGHT Escaping gas affects the nutrients in soil, so discolored soil or dead vegetation near a pipeline may indicate a leak. Dirt or water blowing up from the group may indicate a natural gas leak. SOUND Natural gas leaks may make a hissing or a high-pitched whistling noise. Noises will vary based on the line pressure.
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SMELL A strong odor of natural gas can indicate unburned fuel in the air. Because the gas is odorless, a sulfur based odorant is added to give it a rotten-egg smell that warns of its presence. Be alert for this odorant or any petroleum smell. If you believe a natural gas leak is occurring, leave the area immediately and notify Peoples Natural Gas by calling 1.800.400.4271.
y o u r e n e r g y p a rt n e r
peoples–ga s.com
hree Bethel Park High School seniors were named Commended Students by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation in its 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program. The students are Nicholas Poe, Marla Vaughn and Trevor Walter. They are among a group of 34,000 high school students who will receive Letters of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation in recognition of their outstanding academic promise. Their scores were among the top 50,000 on the PSAT, which they took in the fall of their junior year. Each year over 1.5 million high school juniors enter the National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the PSAT. These students are now eligible to be candidates for Special National Merit Scholarships that are sponsored by corporations and businesses.
National Merit Commended Students (left to right): Trevor Walter, Nicholas Poe and Marla Vaughn
Bethel Park | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 7
Reverse the ravages of time.
BETHEL PARK Volunteer Fire Company 1
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BEFORE AFTER
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Unlike the damage that occurs to other parts of your body, damage to your teeth cannot heal on its own. Over time, teeth erode, fracture, and decay, and older repairs deteriorate. But you donÂ’t have to give in to the ravages of time. Our expertise in restorative dentistry allows us to recreate your ideal tooth structure, and restore you to optimal dental health.
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To find out how you can recapture your dental youth, simply call our office and schedule an appointment. It could be your first step to a happier, healthier future. 7
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he Bethel Park Volunteer Fire Company takes September, National Fire Safety Month, very seriously. Members reach out to the community every year with their open house and car cruise to help educate and celebrate. The event was held at the Bethel Park Fire House on Sunday, Sept. 18. The volunteer firemen and women of BP offered children and adults many chances to learn about fire safety with a variety of fun activities and demonstrations. Kids could hit a wrecked car with a sledge hammer, while wearing safety goggles of course, or they could even squirt a real fire hose at a pretend house fire. Fire fighters answered questions about safety and kids could walk through the fire safety house. The life flight helicopter landed in the field behind the station for a crowd of all ages. A car cruise was also part of the festivities showcasing antique cars
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Connecting People s Resources with People s Needs
Over the past 54 years, Brother s Brother Foundation has connected over $4 billion in people s resources with people s needs across 141 countries. BBF supplies hospitals with vital medication and equipment, supports hand-carried medical mission groups, funds the rebuilding of schools and fills them with donated books across the world.
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1200 Galveston Ave. Pi ttsburgh, PA, 15233 Phone: 412-321-3160 http://www.brothersbrother.org
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1. Free Bethel Bakery cupcakes 2. Delany, Kaiden and Mikaela DeBernardo 3. Aiden and Ryland Giles 4. Jenna and Makayla Mikkovich 5. Maxx Meussner 6. Ed Schmidt 7. Chace and Jim Taranto 8. Brayden Amato 9. Free tattoos for the kids 10. Bill Wilds, Joe Aubele and Mike Duorsky, Volunteer Firemen and members of the board of directors
Bethel Park | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 9
Musicians
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everal Bethel Park High School musicians successfully auditioned and represented their school in two music events sponsored by the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association. Seniors Alex Curtis (viola) and Jordan Todd (cello) and junior Stephen Barnhart (viola) played in the Honors String Orchestra Concert, which was held November 13 at the Carson Middle School in the North Allegheny School District. This is the second consecutive year all three of these musicians were selected for this event. Five musicians played in the Honors Band Concert, which was held on November 27 at the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland. Representing Bethel Park in this event were seniors Jimmy Dykstra (First Chair, euphonium), and Audrey Miller (clarinet); juniors Travis Butler (First Chair, percussion) and Mark Debski (First Chair, oboe) and freshman Joseph Beaver (trumpet). The string musicians are taught by Bethel Park High School Orchestra Director Stephanie Glover and the band musicians are taught by Bethel Park High School Band Director Chad Thompson. (top photo) Honors Orchestra–Stephen Barnhart, Jordan Todd and Alex Curtis (bottom photo, front row, left to right): Honors Band–Audrey Miller and Mark Debski, and (back row, left to right) Joe Beaver, Travis Butler and Jimmy Dykstra
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Local Loan Experts: Manager Pat Funwela and Bethel Park s Northwest Savings Bank
want to borrow money, look no further than Northwest Savings Bank in Bethel Park — an experienced, local bank with expert lenders. Northwest stands out from the competition more than ever before, helping overcome uncertainty in the current lending market by making it easy to get the loans you need. challenging to help customers get the loans they need, Northwest is actively lending,” said Bethel Park Manager, Pat Funwela. “Our low rates and fees make it easy to do what you need to do and purchase the things you want.” For more than 115 years, Northwest Savings Bank has been there for the communities it serves with local decision making, quick turnaround, and competitive rates. Whether you are looking for a Mortgage, Home Equity Loan, Home Equity Line of Credit, or a personal loan, Northwest can lend you the money you need with fast approvals and monthly
Bring this coupon in for a
FREE Gift when you stop in to ask about a loan with Northwest
Bethel Park 6284 Library Road (412) 831-8440
Pat Funwela, Manager
Northwest Direct: 1-877-672-5678 www.northwestsavingsbank.com MEMBER FDIC
Pat Funwe la Northwest Savings Bank provides a wide range of retail lending services, including Mortgages with fast, free pre-approvals so you can qualify before you buy; Home Equity Loans and Home Equity Lines of Credit to use your home to pay for the things you need; and Personal Loans for other necessities, such as purchasing a car, consolidating debt, or paying for educational or medical expenses. Home Equity Loans and Lines of Credit,” said Funwela. “With no closing costs or fees for Home Equity Loans and Along with competitive rates, Northwest customers also enjoy convenient services such as Online Banking and Bill Pay, eStatements , Mobile Banking, GO! Rewards Check Cards, and a network of more than 43,000+ service charge free ATM locations. Northwest Savings Bank also boasts exceptional customer service. It was awarded “Highest Customer Satisfaction with Retail Banking in the Mid-Atlantic Region, Two Years in a Row” by J.D. Power and Associates in 2010 and 2011. Northwest Savings Bank is a local bank, making local decisions, committed to the communities it serves – and there
ask for Pat Funwela to learn about the best in class products Northwest Savings Bank received the highest numerical score among retail banks in the MidAtlantic Region in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates Retail Banking Satisfaction Study(SM). Study based on 51,620 total responses measuring 32 providers in the Mid-Atlantic region (DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, DC) and measures opinions of consumers with their primary banking provider. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in January 2011. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com. MEMBER FDIC
Bethel Park | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 11
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Bethel Park’s
Christian and Italian Influences Inspire John DelMonte’s Creativity PHOTOS AND ARTICLE BY TraCY FEDKOE
oil on (right) John DelMonte in his studio with s written canvas “The Water Hole” (above) Book about John DelMonte
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ost people think of a master artist as someone who started painting or drawing at a very young age. Not John DelMonte, 86, of Bethel Park. He’s been an artist for only 65 years, not discovering his talent until after he got out of the Navy in the late 1940’s. “I think I became an artist because I was thirsty for knowledge and looking for fulfillment,” said DelMonte. His formal education began at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and he later received a scholarship to the Art Students League in New York, which led him to the Essex House where he studied and taught for 7 years. He met his wife Jeanie in Pittsburgh, who was also an artist in fashion design, and they married in St. Francis of Assisi Chapel in Italy. After a tour of Italy and Europe (DelMonte’s second to absorb the arts and culture) they returned to settle in Bethel Park, where they have lived for the past 47 years and his career has flourished. Inspired by Christianity and the search for truth, his work reflects his strong personal values. “My searching is based on skills that I now possess and a faith that nurtures my thoughts and actions,” said DelMonte. While religious forms and themes are prevalent in his work, he also loves to paint horses, still life, and the emotions of people in their daily lives. With visible expression in every stroke, DelMonte has developed a style all his own, but doesn’t limit that to just one medium. He creates using oil, pastel, fresco, bronze, clay, charcoal, and more, although he doesn’t claim to have a favorite. “When I pick up a pencil, my favorite is pencil. When I pick up oil, it’s oil,” he said. As a former instructor at many respected institutions including St. Vincent College and Carnegie Mellon University, his teaching also involves using a variety of media to achieve progressive learning. DelMonte believes in research and stresses the importance of sketching from imagination and offers instruction in shapes, figures, and landscapes, as well as examining the styles of classic painters. In 1969 he established an art school, Creative Art Studies, in Lucca, Italy, after meeting the mayor of the town during a trip to Pittsburgh. With 5 students the first year, the program grew to be a summer-long cultural infusion where students would study drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, and experience the history of the Tuscan region that gave birth 12
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to the Italian Renaissance. With the largest group at 35, aspiring artists came from places as far as Australia, South America, Canada, Europe, and even Bethel Park, for the education and inspiration offered by DelMonte. Heading into his 43rd year, he still teaches in Lucca for five weeks every summer. DelMonte’s love of art and gift for teaching has extended beyond his students to his two daughters, who are both artists. His eldest, Anne (DelMonte) Tavol etti, returned to Bethel Park after attending Fashion Institute of Technology and working in New York and currently designs artwork for licensing on products such as cards, calendars, flags, and more. “I used to love going upstairs to my dad’s studio, sitting on the floor, and just watching him paint . . . I think a lot of what I have learned is just by observation,” said Tavoletti, who visited Lucca with her family 10 times and participated in the classes for 8 of those years. His other daughter, Claudia, teaches art at a university in upstate New York. DelMonte has premiered his work at many shows around the world including the Frick Art and Historical Center, Duquesne University, the Ivy School of Professional Art, New York Creative Art Studies Group, Stabbiano, Italy, and more. Winning numerous awards, his works are displayed in the private homes of hundreds of collectors from Europe to Pittsburgh and his painting “The Search for Truth” may even be appearing in a new ABC movie coming out called Elixir. Edward Zelinsky, a former student, wrote a book about his art and the influence of God entitled Truth: An Inspired Artistic Journey. Another is in the works by accomplished photographer Ray Black. “He is a consummate artist and can do anything. I want to show his work and his life,” said Black, who has worked with DelMonte on the board of the South Arts Group for the past five years. With all of his worldwide recognition, his main forum for showing his work is at the South Arts Gallery inside the historic Schoolhouse Arts Center on Park Avenue where he also has his studio. DelMonte teaches workshops at th e denter and gives private lessons. He is currently president of South Arts
(top to bottom) 1) John DelMonte shows some of his sketches at his studio in the Schoolhouse Arts Center. 2) “Good Gossip” charcoal on display at the South Arts Gallery 3) Charcoal “The Pillars of Wisdom”
Pittsburgh and serves on the board of the Greater Pittsburgh Cultural Center where he designed the concept for a renaissance-style building that he hopes will be its new location in Southpointe. With a grant from the Henry Frick Foundation, he taught classes at Bethel Park High School in the 1990s where he offered 6 courses in the fundamentals of art and hopes to be able to provide a program like that again to help students explore and channel their creativity. “I was never offered art in high school and feel guilty if I don’t continue for the benefit of the students,” said DelMonte. At 86, he says he is retired from the commercial world, but is never without a sketchbook. “I feel I haven’t hit my prime yet,” he said. Recently, the mayor of Lucca invited him to do a show at the Bank of DelMonte—perhaps the perfect place to highlight his lifelong career as a master artist. His most recent work is based on a charcoal sketch that just came to him called “The Pillars of Wisdom.” The drawing depicts a painter, musician, architect, actor, sculptor, philosopher, and praying man with a large stack of books. A bible is at the bottom of the stack symbolizing that God is the foundation for all, as it has been in his life. When asked if he had a favorite, he indicated a painting called “The Yellow Mirror” in which his father is portrayed with three horses. “My dad was a great force . . . a good man,” he said. Through his art and his teaching, he is definitely following in his footsteps.
Bethel Park | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 13
Bethel Park Lions Club
Hosts Fish Fry With e Proceeds Benefiting Neighbors in Need
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elicious fish sandwiches and sides were offered to residents and neighbors at Lions Park where you could dine under the pavilion or take advantage of the drive-through service. The event was hosted by The Bethel Park Lions Club. Proceeds from the fish fry went to a wide variety of organizations and service projects that the club supports. A service club of 1.35 million male and female members worldwide, the Lions Club was founded in 1917. Members are best known for helping the blind but are involved in all kinds of service projects in the community along with taking care of the environment. The Lions’ motto is “We Serve.” “After I retired I wanted to get involved in the community and give back,” said Jim Perrine, Bethel Park Lions Club president. “We are a very active group that has 60 members. I enjoy the fellowship, helping the blind and providing services to the community, such as giving a Bethel high school student a scholarship for college.” Other past service includes donating to The Bethel Park Public Library and Volunteer Fire Department, Friends of The Montour Trail–Bethel Park Branch and South Hills Interfaith Ministries. Another project is White Cane Day. The white cane symbolizes the tool of independence for the blind. Lions Club volunteers wear bright orange smocks and collect donations for the blind on this day at local Bethel Park shops. “The money collected is used for ‘Leader Dogs’ for the Blind and Beacon Lodge, a camp for children and adults who are blind or deaf or have special needs,” said Jane McKnight, White Cane District Chairperson and Bethel Park Lions Club Member since 2001. Originated in 1942, The Bethel Park Lions Club welcomes new members. The club meets on the first and third Tuesdays at 6:45 p.m. from October to May at Delallo’s Restaurant on Fort Couch Rd. and from June to September at Lions Park on Irishtown Road.
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Jane and Bob McKnight, B.P. Lions Club Members Jim Perrine, President of The Bethel Park Lions Club Al Morrison, B.P. Lions Club Member and Event Coordinator and Diane Morrison, B.P. Lions Club Member Gay Lynn Miller, Bethel Park Lioness Club Member Bethel Park Lioness Club Members Robert Friend, B.P. Lions Club Member
Brain Development at
he most rapid period of growth for the brain is from birth to age 10 and is documented as being the “window of opportunity.” It is during this time that the brain learns and retains information best. The more experiences and exposure to different things during this time, the more connections are made within the child’s brain. Therefore, learning is taking place with the ability to retain the information. Tiger Woods is a great example--he was probably born with a natural gift for golf. However, if his father wouldn’t have provided him with the experience of golf starting at a young age, would he be the phenomenal golfer that he is today? The brain changes physiologically as a result of experience. The functioning ability of the brain is determined by the environment in which the brain operates. The brain has an amazing ability to constantly change its structure and function in response to external experiences, emotion, and the environment. The brain at this age can be compared to soft plastic, and is like a sponge. There are dendrites within the brain, which are connections between brain cells. These can grow at any age, but have optimal growth during the “window of opportunity” period. The young plastic, sponge like mind is craving experiences, interaction, and information in order to form as many dendrite connections as possible. Please note that parents and teachers should provide as many connections as possible, at the earliest age possible. This helps create a foundation for the young learner to fall back on and recall information from any point in their lives, whether it is at 7 or 70. The brain constantly seeks connections between the new and the known. There is a trick in creating dendrites, and that is providing a safe, secure, loving environment as well as an environment rich in experiences. Another trick is that emotion creates a dendrite connection with respect to the child’s experience as well. By creating this rich, positive, and active learning environment, the child will have a positive experience to either recall at a later date or to further develop a skill. An enriched environment gives children the opportunity to make sense out of what they are learning. Learning is a process of active construction by the learner, and an enriched environment gives children the opportunity to relate what they are learning to what they already know. The brain is essentially curious and is innately social and collaborative. A child’s learning is enhanced when the environment, whether at home or at school, provides them with the opportunity to play, discover, make messes, make mistakes, discuss their thinking out loud, and work collaboratively with their peers, parents, and teachers. We have fun providing that environment here at The Goddard School. The active learning philosophy formed through extensive research by Jean Piaget supports brain development. Children learn best in a non-threatening environment in which they feel safe, secure, loved and are provided with an abundance of experiences. Have fun providing these important experiences with your child and know that their minds are VERY impressionable. Make the most out of this early childhood timeframe
with your little ones! Missed opportunities cannot be replicated, so make sure your young children are exposed within the confines of a learning environment to as many experiences as possible. You will be fascinated by how much information they can process and retain, and, as time passes, you will be amazed at how they are able to draw upon those experiences as they face more complex problem solving tasks. This was written by Bob & Lori Santo. Bob & Lori Santo are the owners of The Goddard School®, located at 825 East McMurray Rd. in Peters Township. Goddard offers both full- and part-time Infant/Preschool/K programs. For more information, visit www.goddardschools.com or call 724.941.6464.
Used cars find new purpose in securing employment for low-income families The morning commute for Loretta, a single mother with three children who recently moved her family into her mother’s two-bedroom apartment, used to be a daunting task. Each day she and her children rode the bus, stopping at daycare before Loretta reached her full-time job downtown. Thanks to Community Auto, a program of North Hills Community Outreach that pairs used cars with low-income drivers, Loretta’s commute has become much more manageable, and she feels her independence has been restored. Community Auto accepts donations of used cars, has them repaired and serviced by local mechanics and then offers them for purchase at prices well below market value. Four months ago, Loretta was able to buy a minivan. “Your program is such a blessing to so many people,” Loretta writes. Donors receive the maximum tax deduction allowable for the donation, as well as assurance that their car is directly helping a local family in need. Buyers benefiting from the program must meet income eligibility guidelines and work at least 25 hours per week. Community Auto encourages Pennsylvanians to BE A DRIVING CHANGE by donating used vehicles. Learn more at
communityauto.org or call 724-443-8300.
Bethel Park | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 15
Eagle Scout Project Gains
By Tracy Fedkoe
For Ben Brownfield, Operation Troop Appreciation = Operation Leadership Success
ecoming an Eagle Scout is not just a coming of age, it’s something that has to be earned. In addition to working your way up through the scout program, contributing required community service hours, and earning merit badges, there’s an individual leadership project required. Each candidate has to come up with an idea, present a complete project plan, and carry out the project while meeting 100 required service hours. No small task for boys in the 14–18 age range. Many candidates choose projects where they build or repair something for the community, but Ben Brownfield, 15, of Bethel Park wanted to do something different. The idea sparked when his family stopped by an information table for Operation Troop Appreciation (OTA) in Robinson Mall last November. Founded in Pittsburgh in 2004, OTA facilitates the donation of requested items from military units deployed overseas, including: tactical equipment, personal care supplies, recreational items, morale boosters, and self-improvement gifts. A perfect fit for Ben, with excellent organizational skills and a hard-working attitude. “This was the first military collection project in a number of years with this level of involvement,” said David Koltash, one of the leaders of Troop 215, which has supported 100 Eagles in their 90-year history. Ben developed his project plan and presented it to a review board downtown where it passed with flying colors. “The plan teaches you more than just the service part, you learn how to think it through and organize it,” said Ben. The first phase of his project involved getting the word out, so Ben started by handing out flyers at all the local Boy Scout meetings. He arranged for several drop off points throughout the area including the Community Center, St. Paul’s Church in Mt. Lebanon, and Bethel Presbyterian Church. Ben rounded up dozens of volunteers on a Saturday to visit homes in his neighborhood to drop
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off flyers and explain the project. Their goal was to try to make personal contact with as many people as possible. The group visited 750 homes in the Dashwood South neighborhood and additional volunteers helped in other areas. They collected nearly $1,000 in cash that day and word spread about the donation because people began bringing items to their house. “People we didn’t even know would give,” said Gina Brownfield, Ben’s mother. “It was really generous.” Another milestone in Ben’s leadership education was getting community officials involved. He personally talked to Mayor Cliff Morton, who was very supportive of the project, and also presented his idea at a Bethel Park Council meeting. The box at the Community Center quickly filled up and Ben had to empty it three times. Collection continued at South Park Shops when Ben arranged to have a table outside of Rite Aid to distribute information and collect donations. Many veterans introduced themselves and others offered money in support of the effort. In fact, over $1,000 in checks were collected in addition to the cash, bringing the total donations to $2,077. The third phase of the project involved OTA’s mission of support for the troops. Ben invited his fellow Boy Scouts to write a note of encouragement to the troops at the Boy Scout Court of Honor awards ceremony. Over 100 notes and letters were received, many of which were from students and adults outside the Boy Scouts. The original deadline for collection was August 27, but people kept bringing more donations to the Brownfields’ house. As the items came in, Ben and other scout volunteers sorted them in bins in the garage. The amount of materials received was both overwhelming and amazing. The variety of supplies included many personal hygiene items, food, snacks, and things for recreation such as cards, puzzle books, games, and so much more. The items filled 25 large shipping boxes and weighed over 1,100 pounds.
Prior to packing up the items, Ben went to OTA headquarters where he received several wish lists. One unit asked for 45 blankets so he used the money donated to purchase one for each soldier in the company. Additional wish list items purchased included a short wave radio, DVD player, DVDs, and portable hand warmers. Ben’s project provided supplies to a total of six military units, some based out of the Pittsburgh area who received an extra gift of a Terrible Towel. “It was more work purchasing the wish list items that we didn’t collect, but it was worth it because we know who the donations are going to, and that they received what they asked for,” said Ben. OTA helped with coordinating the mailing and some of the money collected went toward shipping costs. There was $450 left over, which was donated to OTA. Ben communicated with the troop leaders to confirm delivery and received some high praises in return. “We received 3 boxes of blankets and goodies. We want to thank you for all your help and support . . . your hard work really brings a taste of home for all my soldiers here in B Company 3-66 Armor.” –Christopher M. Leota, USA/SSGr, Master Gunner “You guys showed us the seven Army Values we live by and will uphold at all times: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. You have no idea how you guys affected us when we opened those boxes. . . We were all in shock and felt our hearts light up from the pit of our chests. . . . P.S. Go Pittsburgh Steelers!” –Anthony Gutierrez, B Co 57th ESB, Bagram, Airfield While he had the help of 37 volunteers providing over 300 hours of service, Ben took the lead on every aspect of the project. “His success with this project is proof of good planning and leadership in the early stages,” said Koltash. “He will use those skills throughout his life.” One unit is even sending Ben their troop coin and another hung up the letters in their common room. Ben has to finish his project binder and hopes to receive his Eagle Scout designation within the next few months. “The Eagle Scout project teaches you more than you planned. I learned that people are more generous than you think,” said Ben. Mission accomplished.
Bethel Park | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 17
Sometimes fact is stranger than fiction. It would seem reasonable that with millions of sperm and only one egg that the majority of infertility problems would lie with the female. Not true, according to the National Library of Medicine which tracks national statistics kept by fertility clinics. Difficulties with fertility are evenly split, with the source of fertility problems being linked to the male one third of the time and the female also having difficulties one third of the time. The final third is a mixture of situations where both parties have infertility issues and those cases where the cause is indeterminate. The good news is that there is hope for males who wish to start a family. Director of Male Reproductive Medicine Surgery at UPMC, Thomas Jaffe, MD, an urologist, offers a hopeful perspective for males experiencing difficulties with reproductive issues. “Because of many technologies and treatments, many men who previously had no hope of fathering a child now have treatment options that can be [effective.]” One important advancement in reproductive research is a relatively new diagnostic test called the DAZ test. The DAZ test detects a genetic mutation in the Y chromosome for sperm production.
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This test is ordered when sperm production is unusually low. Another important factor in analyzing the quality of the sperm is its motility or movement. Generally, sperm with greater motility are able to more easily fertilize an egg. One common problem among men with fertility issues is type 1 or juvenile onset diabetes. Individuals with diabetes may experience what’s called retrograde ejaculation. Simply put, this is when the bladder stays open with ejaculatory fluids washing back into the bladder rather than exiting the body as with normal functioning. “This problem can be treated with Sudafed which helps the bladder to stay closed during ejaculation,” explains Dr. Jaffe. Retrograde ejaculation can also be a problem with spinal cord injuries, nerve damage or certain medications that contain alpha blockers such as high blood pressure medications. Another problem Dr. Jaffe sees among his patients are men who have little to no sperm production. “Even with no sperm, we have found that these men still produce limited numbers of sperm within the tissues of the testicles.” This sperm can be extracted from the tissue and remains viable to fertilize an egg.
One of the most common problems associated with male infertility is when an enlargement of a vein in the scrotum forms. These veins are specially equipped with one-way valves which insure that blood flows upward. When these veins become compressed, they crush the gonadal vein and heat and toxins build up in the scrotum inhibiting healthy sperm production. The vein can be surgically repaired however to promote normal function with increased sperm production and better quality with sperm motility increased. Finally, male cancer patients may experience fertility problems due to chemotherapy and radiation treatments. “Ideally ,we [harvest] sperm prior to treatment. We work with the Pittsburgh Cryobank to store the sperm until needed,” explains Dr. Jaffe. Although no treatment is an absolute guarantee, male infertility can often times be overcome with the right evaluation and treatment. For more information about Dr. Jaffe and treatment of male infertility, call 412.692.4100.
Personal Accounts | Personal Loans | Business Accounts | Commercial Lending
The Bank of Choice in the South Hills Choice. Whether you have your eye on your first two-story Colonial, a new convertible, or that perfect backyard playground, Brentwood Bank has the right loan product choices for you. Since 1922, we have offered more choices in financial products and services — with a personal touch. Brentwood Bank. The Bank of Choice for personal loans in the South Hills.
To learn more, call 412-409-9000 or visit BrentwoodBank.com
Bethel Park | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 19
CARDIO for Health and Fitness offered at USCTDP
C
ardio Tennis is a high energy fitness activity that combines the best features of the sport of tennis with Cardiovascular exercise. Cardio Tennis delivers the ultimate full body, calorie burning aerobic workout. It’s a fun social class for all abilities, novice players through advanced players and it’s taught at the USCTDP facility by our tennis teaching professional trained in Cardio Tennis. Cardio Ten nis is a safe and healthy workout environment because it includes a proper warm-up and cool-down just like other group fitness classes. The Cardio Tennis warm-up includes dynamic movement, tossing and catching skills and light hitting. The cardio portion is about 30% drills (to get all the strokes grooved) and 70% games (may or may not keep score). Every class finishes with a cool-down bringing the heart rate down and flushing the system of metabolic waste. The use of the heart rate monitor also makes it a safe workout. Regardless of your fitness ability level our tennis professionals are trained to provide the ultimate workout for each participant. A true cardio tennis class typically has 6-8 players per court, agility ladders, transition balls, music and heart rate monitors. Each workout includes 5-10 minute dynamic warm-up, 40 -50 minutes cardio segment drills and games and 5-10 minutes cool-down. Most women burn 300 – 500 calories in an hour. Most men burn 500 - 1,000 calories in an hour class. Cardio Tennis can be enjoyed by new and advanced players. USCTDP offers classes for men, women, seniors, family and kids. Marcy Bruce is the Cardio Tennis director at USCTDP. She is on the National Cardio Tennis Speaker Team. Marcy Bruce started Cardio Tennis at USCTDP in 2007 after she attended the Cardio Tennis Training Workshop. USCTDP is an authorized provider since 2007. Cardiotennis.com has just launched its new website. USCTDP, as an authorized provider, will be offering the “Tennis Invitation System” in addition to the classes already offered. This will connect players to more cardio tennis classes and give every client a more flexible schedule. Please call the office for more details 412.831.2630. In addition to all this great exciting new news, our latest launch will be the TRX Suspension Training in February 2012. Cardio Tennis TRX will be Cardio Tennis using the TRX Suspension Trainer. Marcy Bruce and Megan Foster, two of our Cardio Tennis professional instructors, just became certified trainers with the TRX Suspension training.
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TENNIS Play days are welcoming and fun ways to experience the social aspects of competition. By rotating opponents in short continuous matches within a 2 hour period, kids have multiple opportunities to play against a variety of players and skill levels. This additional play can promote a sense of achievement and help prepare them for future competition. It will help them develop and refine their skills in a fun and spirited atmosphere, while amplifying their love of the game. Plays days are designed to encourage all levels of players to get out and participate in a fun, low pressure, yet competitive setting. Please come and join us. So drop your kids off to enjoy an evening of playing tennis and games with pizza to follow to end the night. Call 412.831.2630 to reserve your spot today! $15.00 per child. Junior Rackets available to purchase if needed. Chris Canady, a new addition to the staff, has a Master’s Degree in education and is a certified PTR Tennis professional. He is certified in Adult, Junior Development and Performance—one of the only teaching professionals in the country to be certified in all three areas. He specializes in high performance juniors. Owner Janice Irwin and Canady plan to take this area of program to an even higher level. Also look for the return of the Mental Mastery Program® that is presented by LPGA Golf Pro Missie Berteotti. This is the indoor classroom where we have conversations and do drills that finally allow us to take all those lessons we’ve had in our sport and actually transfer them onto the court or course for more wins and/or lower scores! Conversations about: how to trust yourself, how and when to train, training with a high level of awareness, how to look at mistakes, being too concerned with disappointing someone, letting go of anger, learning how to ask for what you need, how to NOT TRY too much, seeing where you are not coachable as an athlete...that is where you will rise to be the champion you want to be! That is where the game of life is too! Check out Missie’s website for dates and more details at www.missieberteotti.com.
to a Senior Program
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Bethel Park | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 21
eath is inevitable and a natural part of the human condition. Yet with death taking place all around us, many people are uncomfortable talking about it or interacting with those who are in the dying process. Harmony Hospice Foundation brings together dedicated, trained volunteers who help hospice patients and their families to not only deal with the final months of life, but to enhance those months with positive, meaningful experiences as well. According to Harmony Hospice Foundation Volunteer Coordinator Debbie Scott, a hospice patient is defined as one who is facing life-limiting illness, usually with six months or less of life expected. “We have volunteers who go into facilities and homes all over the South Hills, to visit with patients and their families.” These volunteers are called Direct Patient Visitors. Many times the patients themselves may not be alert, but the volunteers are able to visit with the families and help them by being a much needed friend. “Sometimes the patients are in their 80s or 90s and they have no friends or immediate family,” adds Scott. The volunteer is able to connect with them by asking open-ended questions about their interests they have enjoyed such as gardening or cooking. Sometimes the volunteer may read to them or even accompany them to bingo. Just being able to talk with someone and share memories makes all the difference. Another goal of the foundation is to make sure that no one
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dies alone. When a patient reaches the last few hours of life, the volunteers may keep a bedside vigil if no family members are available. Volunteer Mary Hirsh describes what she does as “very rewarding.” Hirsh explains, “I went through a rough time in the ‘80s and so many people helped me. I never would have made it through those times if I had not had help. This makes me feel that I am in some small way giving back to others.” Hirsh is quick to admit, “It’s not for everyone,” but having witnessed death firsthand, she finds it neither frightening nor depressing. “It’s a natural part of life.” Pet therapy volunteers take dogs to local facilities to visit with patients and their families. The pets are especially helpful for those who do not have families and are an expression of unconditional love. While direct visits with hospice patients may not be for everyone, many of the volunteers are administrative and help with office duties or carry work home preparing mail-outs. Still other volunteers knit, crochet and quilt for the hospice patients, making covers for catheter bags and quilts specially made for them. “This is so touching for our patients that someone that doesn’t even know them has made something just for them,” says Scott. The volunteers are actually just part of an
interdisciplinary team that helps with all the needs of the patients and their family, including RN’s, chaplains, social workers and counselors. “We stay with a patient’s family for 13 months after the passing,” says Scott. “We offer ongoing bereavement counseling and have a support group that meets at the Bethel Park Community Center.” Volunteers are required to pass a background check, a two-step tuberculosis test, a drivers license check and training in dealing with hospice patients. Scott often goes to people’s homes or their local library to give training to volunteers so that they do not have to drive into the main office in Carnegie. “We encourage people to volunteer in their own areas, so that they don’t have a long drive to make,” explains Scott. On November 5, a volunteer appreciation luncheon was held at Peter’s Place in Bridgeville. The theme was “I Made a Difference to That One.” Scott relates the story of a man walking on a beach, surveying the damage after a storm. He notices thousands of starfish lying on the beach that have washed ashore. Up ahead in the distance, he notices a little boy who is throwing the starfish back into the ocean. When he reaches the boy he tells him, “You are wasting your time. There are thousands of starfish, you can’t save them all.” But the boy picks up a starfish, throwing it into the ocean and says, “I made a difference to that one.” All of the volunteers were presented with a small ceramic starfish, symbolic of the difference they are making in each of their patient’s lives and that of their families.
“I work with the most wonderful people in the world,” says Sco tt of her volunteers. If you would like to be a source of comfort to hospice patients and their families, either by home visits or volunteering behind the scenes, please visit www.harmonyhospice.com or contact Debbie Scott, volunteer coordinator, at 412.276.4700. In addition to regular volunteers, Harmony Hospice Foundation is also looking for college students to become life-review volunteers by recording the memories and life stories of hospice patients for their families. If you would like to contribute to the foundation, please visit the website and click on “About Us” and then “Make a Gift.”
Bethel Park | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 23
The Blessings Keep BY PAMELA PALONGUE
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hen Terri Orendi started Bountiful Blessings in Mechanicsburg, Pa., in January of 2001, she had no idea that the organization would grow to almost 20 locations in three states. The Pittsburgh native grew up in Baldwin and had recently moved to Mechanicsburg. The program was started as an outreach of Trinity Lutheran Church, but quickly outgrew the church and became a nonprofit in its own right in 2004. “God picks the site,” says Orendi, president of the organization. And while driving by New Song Community Church on Library Road in Bethel Park, she once again heard the ‘still, small voice’ urging her to contact the pastor of the church. Bountiful Blessings has been at New Song for the past three years. The site, which was converted from an auto garage by the work of volunteers, has been serving families by providing personal care items, books to children, Christmas and holiday gifts to those in need and back to school items. Rich and Kelly Opferman have been site coordinators at Bountiful Blessings in Bethel Park for the past year. Although the entire organization serves approximately 4,000 people in Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia, Kelly Opferman says that about 15 to 20 families are being served each week in Bethel Park. Opferman adds, “I would love to see more like 50 families coming to our site for help.” The site is open the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month from 1 to 3 p.m. With many families being hit with unemployment in the past few years, they have seen individuals asking for help who have never needed help before. Orendi comments, “In this economy, everyone is in danger of losing their job.” Many people are unaware of the fact that food stamps do not cover personal care items such as soap, shampoo and toothpaste. Cleaning supplies for the household are also not available for purchase with food stamps. These basic necessities are distributed among families at Bountiful Blessings in the form of eight core items, which include toothpaste, shampoo, baby products such as diapers, paper towels, toilet paper, dishwashing liquid and a household cleaner. Although the organization has some safeguards in place to
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Growing
protect against abuse, Orendi states that the help is not based on income, but on need. They do not discriminate because someone has a job or means. Orendi explains, “You may have a salary of $100,000 [annually], but if you have a special needs child who needs expensive prescriptions or therapy, you may be struggling.” Therefore, every situation is examined on a case by case basis. Bountiful Blessings accepts no government funding and has a staff that is 97% volunteer, ensuring that almost all donations go entirely to recipients in need. The recipients come from a variety of religions and backgrounds. Much of the help that individuals receive is emotional support. Orendi says “It’s a safe place to come and get what you need and receive encouragement and support.” The one requirement for those who receive the help is that they give back by volunteering with the organization for three hours per year. “Most of our recipients are anxious to volunteer and want to do anything they can to give back,” says Orendi. In addition to personal care items and encouragement, both adults and children receive free books to encourage learning and increase their home library. Jefferson Hills Library recently donated a large number of books to the Summer Reading Program which supplied each child with a free book to read during the summer break. Bountiful Blessings also provides back to school supplies for families in need to ensure that their children will have the same essential items that other children benefit from for learning. For the holidays, Bountiful Blessings will provide children with a stuffed animal and a book for Christmas. The items are offered on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis to people in need and individuals do not have to live in Bethel Park in order to receive help. Volunteers are needed at the Bethel Park location to stock shelves, register clients, help with checking out items and greeters. Says Opferman, “The volunteers are an integral part of what we do here. We couldn’t accomplish all that we do without their help.” Community service certifications are available for scouts and school age children to earn credit. Individuals who are fulfilling community service hour requirements may also have an opportunity to serve. Donations of personal care items, books and monetary donations are accepted. Individuals wishing to donate to the Bethel Park location should write Bethel Park in the subject line of their check.
WINTER 2011
Health and Wellness News You Can Use
BundleUp,Baby Remember how Mom made you bundle up before going outdoors in the winter so you wouldn’t get sick? She was right. So be sure you dress for the weather — and that means covering your head, ears, mouth, and hands. Turn to page 4 to learn why your ears, nose, and throat need extra care in winter.
What’s Inside
© 2011 UPMC
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UPMC Now Offers Imaging Services in West Mifflin
page 3
When Your Body Talks ... Be Sure to Listen
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Make a Date with Your Doctor Three Cheers for Your Ears, Nose, and Throat
page 5
Technology for 21st Century Hospitals
page 6
Taking on Tourette Controlling a life in motion at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
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Changes Continue to Transform UPMC Mercy Emergency Dpeartment
UPMC Now Offers Imaging Services in West Mifflin For West Mifflin area residents, the new UPMC West Mifflin facility is bringing UPMC’s high quality care, including the latest in imaging technology, right to their doorstep. “We understand that not everyone can or wants to travel outside their community for treatment or a particular test,” says Stephanie Pankow, administrative director of UPMC West Mifflin. “Our communities and neighborhoods are at the heart of what makes Pittsburgh such a special place to live and work. Helping to keep them strong and healthy is important to us,” adds Ms. Pankow. Located at 1907 Lebanon Church Road in West Mifflin (near Century Square), the new facility is home to the UPMC Cancer Centers, Quest Diagnostics, and UPMC Imaging Services. The new facility also features comfortable and attractive waiting and testing areas, as well as free parking.
Onsite, subspecialty trained radiologists provide your doctor with fast, high-quality readings, important results your doctor uses in making an accurate diagnosis and crafting a treatment plan. “Physicians in the UPMC network can choose to get their patient’s imaging results electronically,” says Ms. Pankow.
“Our communities and neighborhoods are at the heart of what makes Pittsburgh such a special place to live and work. Helping to keep them strong and healthy is important to us.” — Stephanie Pankow
The care you need — close to home Whether your doctor suspects a broken pinky finger and wants a quick x-ray or your specialist has ordered a CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound, UPMC West Mifflin gives residents easy access to a wide range of imaging services.
“UPMC West Mifflin has the most advanced imaging technology available, including a state-of-the-art 64-slice CT scanner that is faster and offers more accurate images,” says Melissa Kovtun, executive director of Imaging Services. Imaging services available onsite include:
Moving the well-established UPMC Cancer Centers to the new UPMC West Mifflin location adds to patient convenience and comfort by making imaging services available nearby. “Patients can be assured that all of the center’s advanced cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment options still will be offered — just in a different location,” says Ms. Pankow. UPMC West Mifflin 1907 Lebanon Church Road West Mifflin, PA 15122 Imaging Services Phone: 412-653-8030 Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday by appointment UPMC Cancer Center Phone: 412-653-8100 Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• MRI • CT • General/Vascular • General Radiology (including x-rays) • Ultrasound
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UPMC.com/Today
For more information about UPMC West Mifflin, visit UPMC.com.
When Your BodyTalks…
Be Sure toListen Being attuned to changes in your body can help in the early detection and treatment of cancer and other serious medical problems Is your body trying to tell you something important? It can be an excellent communicator — if you pay careful attention to its symptoms. There are numerous warning symptoms for cancer, many of which also can point to other serious medical conditions. That’s why you should call your primary care physician (PCP) if you have any unusual or persistent symptoms lasting longer than two or three weeks, says Edward Chu, MD, chief of the Division of Hematology/ Oncology at UPMC and deputy director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. “The vast majority of patients will get a clean bill of health from their doctor,” says Dr. Chu. “But when it comes to cancer, time is often of the essence. Early detection can help keep cancer from spreading, allow for faster treatment, and improve your chances for recovery.”
Symptoms that reveal Most of us know to be on the lookout for such important cancer warning signs as a sore that does not heal; a thickening or lump in the breast, or other parts of the body; blood in the stool or urine; or changes in the size or color of a mole.
Dr. Chu says it’s also important to be aware of more generalized body changes (also known as constitutional symptoms) that can compromise your physical performance and overall well-being. By getting to know what’s typical for your own body, you’ll be better able to recognize unfamiliar changes when they occur. They can include: • Extreme tiredness (fatigue) • Unexplained weight loss (typically 10 pounds or more) or loss of appetite • Changes in how food tastes • Fever and chills • Night sweats • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing “These symptoms don’t necessarily mean you have cancer,” he emphasizes. “But if they linger or worsen, it’s important for your doctor to rule out — or treat — possible problems.” If you are interested in locating a PCP or specialist in your area, visit UPMC.com/FindADoctor or call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762).
Did You Know? The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI), based at the Hillman Cancer Center in Shadyside, is the only National Cancer Institutedesignated Comprehensive Cancer Center in western Pennsylvania. Learn more about UPCI and its partnership with UPMC Cancer Centers at UPCI.UPMC.edu.
Cancer Screenings: Are they right for you? Another important tool in the early detection of cancer is screenings. “When combined with regular checkups with your family doctor or specialist, screenings like mammograms, PAP smears, and colorectal exams have proven to be invaluable in the fight against cancer,” says Eric Safyan, MD, of UPMC Cancer Center at UPMC Mercy. “Your personal and family medical history, risk factors, age, and other considerations will help your physician recommend the right tests — and frequency — for you.” To learn more about the programs and services at UPMC Cancer Center at UPMC Mercy, visit UPMCMercy.com.
1-800-533-UPMC
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Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan
Make a Date With Your Doctor You take your car to the mechanic for an annual inspection to be sure it’s running properly. So why aren’t you giving your body the same kind of attention? When you’re in good health, it’s easy to put off going to the doctor. But regular checkups can help you stay healthy, and avoid disease and disability. That’s why scheduling a physical is the one New Year’s resolution you should keep. “Your annual exam is the perfect time to talk with your doctor about illness prevention, healthy lifestyle choices, and any recommended screenings,” says Timothy Campbell, MD, of Campbell/Philbin Medical Associates PC and UPMC Mercy. “That information helps you and your doctor create a plan to maintain your health, or make changes to improve your health.” Building an ongoing relationship with a primary care physician (PCP) also means peace of mind. “There’s real value to being seen by someone who knows you and your health history — someone you trust to guide you through an illness or emergency,” adds Dr. Campbell.
Your exam checklist How can you make the most of your annual exam? Here are four things to do before you see the doctor:
1. Make a list of all medications you are taking Include all prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements that you currently take, how often you take them, and why.
2. Update your family history Your family history can provide important clues about your risk for certain diseases, including diabetes, some cancers, and heart disease.
3. Ask about health screenings Screenings can be important tools in preventing some illnesses and diseases. Get a list of recommended screenings and talk about them with your doctor.
4. Make a list of questions or health concerns Asking questions and sharing your concerns about health issues helps your doctor improve your care. One final piece of advice: Be honest. “Never be afraid or embarrassed to tell your doctor something,” adds Dr. Campbell. “What you don’t disclose could be important for your doctor to make an accurate diagnosis or prescribe the best treatment plan.”
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Three Cheers for Your Ears, Nose, and Throat Winter is the season for sniffles, scratchy throats, and earaches — often all at once! And with good reason: our ears, nose, and throat all are connected and affect each other greatly. Otolaryngologists (also known as ear, nose, and throat doctors or ENTs) are physicians who specialize in caring for this complex, interrelated system. Test your ENT knowledge with this quick quiz:
Who gets earaches more often — children or adults? Nearly every child experiences at least one ear infection between infancy and the age of five — something weary parents know firsthand. Because children have shorter, straighter Eustachian tubes (which connect the nose to the ears), it’s easier for bacteria to migrate into their ears.
Why are you more likely to get a nosebleed in winter? The same heated indoor air that makes your home cozy in winter also can dehydrate the inside of your nose. It can become crusted or cracked, or can even bleed. A dry nose makes you more susceptible to germs, so exercise good nose care. Lightly coat the inside with petroleum jelly. Overthe-counter saline mists and sprays (not decongestants) also are helpful.
Will antibiotics cure laryngitis? Most cases of laryngitis are caused by viral infections that make the vocal cords swell — so antibiotics are ineffective. Your best course of action? Drink plenty of fluids, rest, and cut back on talking. Straining your voice when you have acute laryngitis can damage your vocal cords. Source: American Society of Otolaryngology
Technology for 21st Century Hospitals How technology is working to transform the quality of your care during hospitalization If you ever have to be hospitalized, you’ll certainly want to be cared for at a place that delivers quality health care using the latest technology available. That’s precisely what patients find when they are admitted to a UPMC hospital. “UPMC’s vision of quality is for every patient to receive the right care, at the right time, in the right way — every time,” says Tami Minnier, RN, and chief quality officer for UPMC. “Technology lets us serve patients more efficiently and accurately. Most of all, we’re able to give patients greater control of their health care.” Here are just two of the ways UPMC hospitals are delivering on that goal.
SmartRoom® technology brings it all to you Launched three years ago by UPMC in partnership with IBM, SmartRoom is an impressive technology. First used at UPMC Shadyside and UPMC Montefiore, it is gradually being introduced in other UPMC hospitals. All patient rooms at the new UPMC East will be equipped with SmartRoom technology. SmartRoom brings all essential data related to your care to your bedside. Its computerized software programs give caregivers fingertip access to all the information essential to your care — from your electronic medical records to the tests you’ll need that day.
The SmartRoom concept simplifies workflow and makes documentation of your care faster and easier. Each room has two screens: one for your caregivers, and another for you to access email, entertainment, and a vast library of patient education videos and information.
The right meds at the right time “It is our goal to make the hospitalization and discharge experience as stress-free as possible for our patients and their families,” says Jacqueline Dailey, UPMC’s vice president for Solutions for Medical Science, Research, and Patient Centered Accountable Care. “Not surprisingly, by the time patients leave the hospital, they’re often confused and overwhelmed by changes in their medications and how to take them.” “We begin when you’re admitted with an electronic assessment of your current medications and how they’re being taken,” explains Ms. Dailey. “As medications are adjusted or eliminated during your stay, this information is instantly available to all your physicians — from your family doctor to the specialists caring for you. That’s especially important if you transition from one level of care to another, such as intensive to acute care.” An added layer of safety: both a pharmacist and the nurse administering the medications verify any new medication orders from your doctors. Throughout your stay, you’ll receive comprehensive instructions on your medications. “We know that people learn in different ways, so this information will be shared multiple times and in multiple ways,” notes Ms. Dailey. “We also urge patients to contact their doctors for help with any questions they may have on their return home.”
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Taking on Tourette Controlling a life in motion at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC That’s especially difficult for adolescents who want to fit in. Tics, such as throat clearing, turning, or shaking, also can cause pain.
Seven Barnishin was just 11, playing with action figures alone in his Pitcairn home, when the tics began — involuntary arm flicks, head jerks, and sounds. “I freaked. It seemed like something else was controlling me,” he says.
At the Tourette Syndrome Clinic, patients have access to a trio of experts: two pediatric neurologists with training in neurodevelopmental disorders, and an adult neurologist trained in movement disorders who provides transitional care for older teens.
Tom and Amy Barnishin first thought their son’s behavior was linked to the start of the school year and peer pressure. When symptoms grew worse, and other tics emerged, their doctor sent Seven to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC where he was officially diagnosed with Tourette syndrome (TS) in January 2009. “We were blindsided,” says Amy.
Be in the know about TS Treatment varies.While there’s no cure, medication sometimes helps control tics. Psychologists can teach habit reversal and relaxation techniques to help patients cope with stress and reduce symptoms. But the most important treatment is education, says Dr. Coffman. “That includes educating families, educators, and the general public about TS.”
Diagnosing Tourette syndrome TS is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting one in 100 people, says Keith Coffman, MD, a pediatric neurologist and co-director of the Tourette Syndrome Clinic, part of the Brain Care Institute at Children’s Hospital. Most cases are diagnosed between ages 3 and 12; the majority are boys. The main symptoms are sudden, repetitive, uncontrollable movements and sounds called tics, including throatclearing, sniffing, blinking, gestures, and head jerking. For a true TS diagnosis, tics must start before age 18, include two or more motor tics and at least one vocal tic, and last at least one year. Tics peak at the onset of puberty. Approximately 60 percent of children outgrow the tics, or the tics become so subtle only that person knows when they occur.
Did You Know? An estimated 200,000 Americans have TS, but misconceptions still surround the disorder. For example, TS is not an emotional or behavioral condition. It is an inherited neurodevelopmental disorder that causes abnormalities in the brain.
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Coping with Tourette “People with TS cannot control their tics. They experience a sensation that makes them feel like they have to move — like having to sneeze,” Dr. Coffman says. The earlier the diagnosis, the sooner children can benefit. Movements can interfere with school work. Children with TS often are bullied, teased, or viewed as being disruptive.
Other TS facts include: • TS patients have the same IQ range as the general population. • People in every walk of life, including professional musicians, athletes, authors, and scientists, have TS. • Less than 15 percent of TS patients swear or use inappropriate expressions.
“Knowledge is power. I’d be unnerved if I didn’t know what it was,” adds Seven, now age 14. Although he cycled through almost every tic, the movements and sounds have subsided with treatment. The Barnishins credit the team at Children’s for helping them understand TS, guiding them through treatment options, and providing support. “Children’s gave us answers and helped us gain control over an uncontrollable situation. Instead of being spectators, we were part of the process. That helped lower Seven’s anxiety, which helped ease the tics,” says Tom. To learn more about the Tourette Syndrome Clinic and the Movement Disorders Clinic at Children’s Hospital, visit chp.edu, choose Neurology as the service, then click the Clinics and Services button on the left.
Changes Continue to Transform UPMC Mercy Emergency Department Recently completed makeover cuts wait times with focus on care UPMC Mercy’s Emergency Department (ED) has put the finishing touches on a major expansion and renovation project with the opening of a new patient observation unit in December. Known as a Clinical Decision Unit (CDU), the 17-bed facility provides a special transitional area for patients — including those with chest pain, asthma, or abdominal pain — who need more time for treatment or testing before a decision is made to discharge or admit them. Patients will stay in the CDU while awaiting their test results, freeing up beds for other emergency and admitted patients, says Michael Turturro, MD, chief of Emergency Services at UPMC Mercy. “All of our ED improvements focus on enhancing the patient care experience. We’re treating patients more quickly, more efficiently, and more comfortably,” Dr. Turturro says.
Expanded capacity Before the 18-month expansion and renovation project began, the UPMC Mercy ED treated approximately 45,000 patients annually. Last year, the ED reported 70,000 patient visits. Now averaging nearly 200 patients a day, UPMC Mercy’s ED is on track to see at least 73,000 patients this year. The new ED, with 36 beds, also has created more capacity by improving its efficiency. “But no matter how many rooms or beds we add, there are always challenges,” says Valerie Krasneski-Schreiber, RN, BSN, MS, unit director of UPMC Mercy’s ED. “Our top priority is to deliver safe patient care quickly and more efficiently.”
New Super Track: Quick assessments and streamlined care Key to achieving that goal is a redesigned reception area staffed by a clinical nurse who makes quick assessments and assigns patients to one of three levels of emergency care. Dr. Turturro says ED patients now move from the reception area to a treatment room within an average of 10 minutes of arrival.
In addition, the Mercy ED’s innovative new Super Track concept offers speedy care for patients with minor injuries and illnesses needing less urgent care — moving them through treatment to discharge in under an hour. “With Super Track, our goal is to ensure that patients who come to the ED with minor injuries and illnesses quickly get back to their lives after receiving prompt, comprehensive care,” says Tom Gronow, MHA, vice president of operations at UPMC Mercy.
Faster lab results Another important ED upgrade is the addition of a mini-lab providing critical point-of-care-testing for ED patients. That means faster urine tests, rapid strep, blood analysis, and other key tests that can speed up treatment. “Having test results in minutes absolutely makes a difference,” says Ms. Krasneski-Schreiber. “In stroke patients, for example, time is of the essence. We need vital information to make the right decisions and act quickly.” Other ED improvements include: • Thirty-six newly renovated treatment bays • Two new state-of-the-art trauma resuscitation bays for treating the most acutely injured patients • A new 128-slice CT scanner offering the latest imaging technology with faster scanning capability • An expanded and modernized patient and family reception area (featuring stained glass panels from the original Mercy Hospital chapel) • Wireless Internet access and flat-screen TVs To learn more about UPMC Mercy and its ED services, visit UPMCMercy.com.
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UPMC Mercy 1400 Locust St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219
UPMC Today is published quarterly to provide you with health and wellness information and classes and events available at UPMC. This publication is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or replace a physician’s medical assessment. Always consult first with your physician about anything related to your personal health.
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Bethel Park | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 33
REAL ESTATE
Bethel Park
Make Your Home
Cleaner& Greener F
inding ways to go green in the home does more than help the planet. It helps your home’s environment, as well. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, levels of indoor air pollution can be two to five times higher than outdoor levels. These pollutants — as well as chemicals found in many products today — can irritate allergy and asthma sufferers. “More people than ever are looking to mak e natural changes in their home to help improve their family’s environmental health,” said Dr. Shannon Thyne, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at UCSF and Medical Director of the Pediatric Asthma and Allergy Clinic at San Francisco General Hospital. “It only takes a few extra steps to make a home healthier, cleaner and greener.” To that end, the maker of Green Works ® products, HGTV personality and green living expert Carter Oosterhouse, and Lowe’s have teamed up to showcase ways to give your family a cleaner, greener home. “Whether you could use help enhancing the look of your child’s playroom, or you’re looking for ways to reduce chemicals and their fumes and residues in your kitchen, there are simple steps you can take to make your home environment healthier, while still keeping it stylish and beaut iful,” said Oosterhouse. While every home is different, here are some ways to make any home naturally beautiful and healthier.
PAINT A fresh coat of paint is a great, low-cost way to bring new life to a room. But that new paint smell comes from Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which derive from vapors released from toxic compounds. Use non-VOC paint to create an inviting, comfortable and beautiful room. Check the back of the paint
Clear the air Here are a few tips for clearing the air in your home. Open the window. Clean with windows and doors open so you don’t trap air pollution inside. Go barefoot. Take off your shoes when you come inside. That way you’ll bring less dust, dirt, mold and pollens inside, and you won’t track them all over the house. Buy a plant. Plants serve as natural air purifiers. African violets and ferns are beautiful ways to help clear the air.
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can for VOC levels — those with fewer than 150 grams per liter are often labeled “low-VOC” or “no-VOC.” Buy only the amount of paint you’ll need for the project. If you wind up with leftover paint, store it safely or dispose of it according to local municipal regulations. Open windows while painting and use fans to vent fumes. When sanding or removing old paint, wear a dust mask or respirator to prevent particle inhalation. Keep the area well ventilated.
REAL ESTATE
CLEANING PRODUCTS It used to be that buying a natural cleaning product meant paying more money for worse performance. No longer. Natural cleaning products can provide great performance without leaving behind harsh chemical fumes or residues. Plus, they are increasingly cost effective. Green Works naturally derived cleaners offer a variety of products for the whole house, including naturally derived laundry det ergent and bathroom cleaners that are priced very competitively.
Bethel Park
Run only full loads. Full loads use energy and water more efficiently
than smaller loads. Adjust the water levels according to the load. Wash in cold water. Most of the energy used to wash clothes comes from heating the water. Only the most stubborn stains really need hot or warm water. For more tips on getting a cleaner, greener home, visit www.greenworks.com, and watch Oosterhouse’s “Green It Yourself” web series at the Green Works Facebook page, www.facebook.com/greenworks.
FLOORING Carpets trap dirt, dust and other allergens. If possible, remove wall-to-wall carpeting and replace it with natural wood flooring, such as sustainable bamboo or cork flooring. Sweep and vacuum floors regularly to control dust. Wet mop with a microfiber mop to remove dust and dirt more efficiently. Clean up spills right away. If the carpets and rugs must stay, vacuum frequently, using a vacuum cleaner with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter. Change the filter regularly to keep it working efficiently.
FURNITURE AND WINDOW COVERINGS Curtains and upholstery can trap dust, dust mites and pollen. Blinds are a good, contemporary-looking alternative to drapes, but must be dusted occasionally. Vacuum upholstered furniture — under the cushions, too.
APPLIANCES Upgrading to a more efficient washer and dryer can provide lifetime water and energy savings.
What does it mean to be natural? The Natural Products Association (NPA) recently developed the Natural Standard for Home Care Products, making it easier than ever to tell what makes a product natural. Here are the NPA’s core criteria: Natural: Ingredients that are at least 95 percent natural (excluding water) in addition to appropriate manufacturing processes. Responsible: No animal testing during the development process. Safer chemistry: Avoid ingredients from the NPA’s list of prohibited ingredients. Sustainable: Use biodegradable ingredients with environmentally sustainable packaging whenever possible. For more about which Green Works® products are NPA certified natural products, visit www.greenworkscleaners.com.
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REAL ESTATE
Bethel Park
old winter weather is inevitable in Pennsylvania, but you can make sure your home is warm and toasty by getting your home ready now for the snowy season. One important thing to do is to purchase some nonperishable food items that can be eaten without heating in case of a winter power outage. Also, make sure those flashlights have fresh batteries and are in a handy place. Make sure that smoke detectors and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors have fresh batteries. CO detectors become especially important in the winter months because of increased use of kerosene and gas space heaters, leaking chimneys and furnaces, wood stoves and
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gas stoves – all sources of carbon monoxide. CO detectors are inexpensive and install easily. Next, insulate all exposed water pipes to prevent freezing pipes in the coldest part of winter. Be sure to leave your heat set to at least 55 degrees if you are going to be away from home for a few days. Consider adding extra insulation to the attic. The U.S. Dept. of Energy recommends approximately 12 inches of insulation in attics in Zone 5. One important thing to remember when adding insulation is to avoid insulation with paper backing which will act as a vapor barrier and may cause moisture problems. Seal up foundation cracks and any entry points into your home such as crawl spaces. This will deter mice and insects from coming into your house and also help with heating bills. Use weather resistant caulking for exteriors and masonry sealer for brick areas. Weather stripping around doors and caulking around windows will help prevent cold air from pouring into your home. Plastic may be used in basement windows for added protection. If your home has a fireplace, yearly cleaning by a chimney sweep is essential; twice a year if the fireplace is used frequently. The buildup of
REAL ESTATE
Bethel Park
By Pamela Palongue
wood resins forms creosote and can create a combustible fire in the chimney that can destroy an entire home. Make sure that the chimney top has a grate to prevent small animals such as squirrels from entering your home through the chimney. A furnace inspection will not only ensure safety, but help lower heating bills by more efficient use of your furnace. Cleaning the ducts and replacing filters monthly helps your home to have cleaner, healthier air. Dirty filters restrict air flow and can potentially cause fires. One area of your home that may go unnoticed is the gutter spouts. These should be cleaned thoroughly and hosed down before temperatures drop. Leaving gutter spouts clogged with leaves will lead to snow and ice building up in the gutters with no way for melting snow to drain, causing possible water damage to your home. A really easy tip is to reverse your ceiling fan so that the blades turn in a clockwise direction. This will help force warm air down into living space, rather than collecting near the ceiling. With a little planning, your home can be safe and warm all winter long, no matter what the temperature outside.
Bethel Park | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 37
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he College Board named 15 Bethel Park High School students Advanced Placement Scholars in recognition of the high scores these students earned on AP Exams which were taken in the spring of 2011. 2011 graduate Justin Fleischmann (now attending the University of Pittsburgh) was named a National AP Scholar for receiving an average score of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams. Seven students were named AP Scholars of Distinction for earning an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. They are 2011 graduates Joseph Brucker (now attending Case Western Reserve University), Nathan Enick (University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering), Jacob Michalski (University of Michigan), Henry Payseure (Miami University of Ohio Honors Program), Manasa Ravi (University of Chicago) and Sean Walsh (Purdue University). 2011 graduate Aaron Chirsan (Penn State University) was named an AP Scholar with Honor for receiving an
average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. Seven students were named AP Scholars for receiving scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams. They are 2011 graduates Megan Crawford (currently a foreign exchange student in Germany), Spencer Kun (Duquesne University) and Jinjing Lee (Case Western Reserve University); seniors James Dykstra, Nicholas Poe and Patrick Scheurell; and junior Shankar Athinarayanan. Students who score high enough on AP Exams are eligible to earn college credit, advanced placement or both. Approximately 18 percent of the 1.8 million students worldwide who take AP Exams earn this distinction. Last spring Bethel Park High School offered AP Exams in Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Science, Chemistry, Computer Science A, Macro Economics, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, European History, German, Physics, Biology, Statistics, French, Spanish and United States History.
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BY TraCY FEDKOE
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tudents, teachers, and the whole community are awaiting the day when the new high school will be complete. After two plus years of construction and another six since the project was initiated, it’s been a long time coming. “I can see the excitement building in the community and with the faculty and students,” said Vicki Flotta, public relations director for the district. Construction on the new high schoo l is ahead of schedule and move-in is currently planned for January 25-27 during a three-day break. Progress is being made daily in leaps and bounds. The original timeline estimated completion during the summer of 2012, but now the current senior class will be the first to graduate from the new building. This project wasn’t something that was developed by a single person, or even just one group. It’s been a collaborative effort right from the beginning between the administration, school board, architect, and the 12 prime contractors selected. “Dr. Knight’s leadership set things off in the right direction,” said John Mascaro, of Mascaro Construction, general trades contractor on the project. After the Building Utilization Study Committee made recommendations for improvements to all Bethel Park schools back in 2002, the Facilities Ad Hoc Committee was formed in 2006 and welcomed community input regarding the high school. The group investigated three options that included renovating the old buildings, building an academic wing that would connect the auditorium/cafeteria with the physical education building to create a one-building school, and constructing a completely new building. Construction of a new build ing was the obvious choice and was overwhelmingly supported by the committee, school board, administration, and Faculty. The major advantages of the new building were that it was less expensive and the least disruptive for the students and teachers during construction. Plus, the one building option strongly supported the district’s educational philosophy heading into the future. Bids were awarded and est imates came in 18% under budget, allowing for 25 alternate features to be added, including another practice field, terrazzo flooring, a television studio, new stadium lighting and more. Several local companies were chosen to be a part of the construction team and include Mascaro Construction as the general trades contractor, Pemco for the furniture, and recently, South Hills Movers. “We have a over 100 people working for us on this job and I personally take a lot of pride that we can contribute to the community,” said John Mascaro, who has four children in the district, two at the high school now. With plenty of “wow” features including the 1,300-seat auditorium, 2,350-seat gymnasium, theater, television studio, and eight-lane swimming pool, the driving force behind the school’s design and constructi on was academics. “Most people are talking about the larger public areas, but the students will be using the classrooms every day, so that was our focus,” said Matt Howard, assistant to the superintendent/finance and operations. The academic wing has 94 classrooms on four floors, which are organized more by subject area than grade. The science and math, English and social
More information and photos can be found at www.bpsd.org. Stay tuned for details on the Grand Opening to be scheduled in the first quarter of 2012! studies departments are located close to allow for interdisciplinary learning with planning centers on each floor. Likewise, the music areas will be located together near the theater and auditorium. There is a large group instruction room and several small group rooms as well. Standard classrooms will be equipped with an interactive projector and sound system tied in with a laptop for every teacher. The whol e building is wireless and there will also be television kiosks in select areas for educational use. “We worked with all the department facilitators as well as the athletic director and music director to get everyone’s input on the layout and design,” said Howard. Students were also given the opportunity to provide input in the development phase. The increase in demand community wide for all types of athle tic facilities will be met with the addition of two new synthetic football/lacrosse/soccer fields, a new baseball/softball field, two more tennis courts, plus increased parking with over 1,100 spaces. The new gymnasium has three full courts and 2,350 seats and the athletic wing also includes an auxiliary gym, adaptive gym, spacious locker rooms, weight, and training rooms for use by all school sports teams. Al l current fields including the high school stadium and Purkey field have been updated during various phases of this project. Many residents of Bethel Park and surrounding communities will be able to enjoy the new athletic facilities both as participants and spectators. Another feature that Bethel Park students and residents can be proud of is the extensive effort to be environmentally conscious during this whole project. Designed to be Green Globe certified, the building includes many energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly features, including a daylight harvesting system to reduce lighting costs, low flow plumbing fixtures, and high efficiency air filters. During construction from November 2010 through
August 2011, a total of 871.2 tons and 93.9% of materials including concrete, metals, plaster and drywall, wood, and paper have been recycled. Green efforts will continue when the existing buildings will be demolished and bricks will be ground to use as fill for the parking lots. Once the Green Globe Certification is received, it is estimated that Bethel Park will receive an additional $1.53 million in state reimbursements. “We will continue to try to incorporate green into everything moving forward,” said Howard. Although many are sad to see the original high school go, the new design does still incorporate the traditional campus atmosphere unique to Bethel Park. There’s an outdoor courtyard adjacent to the cafeteria with a small performance area that could be used for plays, exhibits, or classes. The new school will be much easier to navigate, and nobody will miss running between buildings in the rain. In addition to a simpler layout, safety and security were also prime factors in the design and building process. Cameras have been installed at the entrance and security will be much easier to monitor with one building. The Bethel Park Police and Fire Departments were consulted to ensure easy access and proper exit procedures. So far, the process has run smoothly and the project remains on budget. “There isn’t anything we wanted that we’re not going to be able to do,” said Howard. The new school is “built to last” with materials selected for quality and durability. “It is a fantastic building that the community will be proud to call its school,” said Flotta. When the final details are put in place in the next few months and the students and teachers move in, there will still be work to do. The removal of the existing buildings and creation of the additional fields and parking lots will then begin. Completion of that phase is expected to be in November of 2012, weather pending, of course. Bethel Park | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 41
Bethel Park Community Day
Fun For The Whole Family
A 1
fun and festive day for residents and families happened at The Bethel Park Community Day at the high school grounds. Kicking off the day with a parade, families could then play a game or eat delicious food from the 90 community booths. The Bethel Park High School Band and sports teams sold Black Hawk t-shirts and hats to help support the extras that their organizations need. Soccer and a Punt, Pass and Kick competition were great for the young athletes in the family. A children’s bounce house, rides, petting zoo and pony rides gave the kids many activities to choose from and great memories. Live entertainment all day including The Blues Orphans and The Modernette Baton Corps kept the crowd moving and grooving. The Bethel Park Police and Volunteer Fire department were also on the grounds to visit with residents and thrill children by letting them tour the fire truck. “We wanted to give everyone a fun day from beginning to end,” said Mary Anne Kelton, Bethel Park Recreation administrative secretary. “Families look forward to Community Day every year and we wanted to have many activities for everyone.” To learn more about Bethel Park Upcoming Events, please visit bethelpark.net
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bp
omecoming in the Bethel Park School District was a weeklong affair that not only welcomed back alumni and current students, but also the entire Bethel Park community for several activities to promote school spirit and community pride. The week literally kicked off with a Powderpuff flag football game in the stadium between the junior and senior girls. This year’s game was won by the seniors, 20-6. The annual Tailgate at the Stadium on Friday night got the crowd into a festive mood with activities for all ages, including a D.J.; a balloon guy; and food, games and BP gear available for purchase from booths set up by BPHS student organizations such as DECA, the Rifle Team and Junior Ways and Means. Following the tailgate, the Homecoming parade made its way from the St. Valentine’s parking lot down Broad Street led by the Bethel Park High School Black Hawk Marching Band. Participating in the parade were floats featuring fairy tale characters, student groups, cheerleaders, the Homecoming Court and the Bethel Park Fire Department. Before the game began, several Homecoming Awards were presented. This year the awards went to:
BPHS social studies teachers Mr. Jerry Miller and Mr. Mark Render given in memory to former superintendent Dr. Thomas A. Knight, who passed away in July BPHS senior Mitch Campbell BPHS assistant principal, Jerry Roman The Homecoming Court was introduced at halftime of the Bethel Park versus Mt. Lebanon football game. This year’s Homecoming King and Queen were Ryan Thorsen and Angie Hernley. Ryan Dunay was the Homecoming Prince and Kelsey Metheny was the Homecoming Princess. Rounding out this year’s court were Pat Emett, Dante Rebelo, Ethan Rupprecht, Shannon Murray, Reba Wallace and Gabby Storino. Senior Kristen Elliott was this year’s Homecoming Chair.
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Bethel Park
Rotary Club of Upper St. Clair-Bethel Park
Inducts Four New Members Rotarians Shari Leckenby, Janine Dillon, Tammy Barbosa and Clayton Kinlan were recently inducted into the Rotary Club of Upper St Clair-Bethel Park. Shari was born in Eighty-Four, Pa., and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in dietetics and nutrition. She is currently an insurance agent with Single Source Benefits on Mayview Road. She resides in Upper St. Clair with her husband, Keith, and their three children, Tim, 17, Keith, 14, and Lauren, 12. Shari enjoys cooking, coaching cheerleading and teaching CCD at St. Louise De Marillac. Bethel Park resident Janine Dillon has been a successful full time Licensed Realtor with Coldwell Banker’s South Hills office assisting buyers and sellers since 1996. Janine’s designations include consistent multi million dollar producer, E-Marketing and Lead Router E-Team Member, Previews Properties and Certified New Homes Specialist. Janine is a Member of the Realtors Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh and Amen Corner. She is a longtime supporter of Animal Friends, Make-A-Wish and the Alzheimer’s Association. Tammy Barbosa was born and raised in Punxsutawney, Pa. She holds an associate degree in business. Tammy has been in the insurance industry since 1993 and is licensed in Property, Casualty, Life, Fixed Annuities, Accident and Health. She currently works for Nationwide, as a Sr. Sales Advocate/Agent at a Nationwide On Your Side Corporate Center. This is a unique model in that Agents are incentivized to find maximum discounts and contact customers proactively throughout the Nationwide experience. Tammy resides in Bridgeville, Pa with her husband Nate. Not one to fly very far from the nest, Clayton was born and raised in Bethel Park and still resides there with his wife of 22 years, Kim, and their two daughters Rachel (13) and Heather (10). After graduating from California University of Pennsylvania, he began his banking career. Currently a Relationship Banker at Brentwood Bank, Clayton enjoys his responsibilities of talking to businesses, nonprofits and individuals about the advantages available at Brentwood Bank for their deposit, financing and electronic banking needs. Community involvement and helping
Pictured from left to right are Club President Brian Schill, Shari Leckenby, Janine Dillon, Tammy Barbosa and Clayton Kinlan.
others has been a defining personality trait. For twelve years he was a member of the Bethel Park Volunteer Fire Company, earning the rank of Captain before stepping away to spend more time with family. This was followed by being a member of the Ruthfred Lutheran Church Council. At the present time he is a member of the board of directors for the Bethel Park Girls Softball Association and also enjoys coaching. He also sits on the
board for the Pregnancy Resource Center of the South Hills, a pro-life, faith based ministry located on the border of Upper St. Clair and Bethel Park.
For additional information about the Rotary Club of Upper St. ClairBethel Park, contact Brian Schill at 412.833.6229, BLSchill@aol.com or visit www.rotary-usc-bp.org.
Bethel Park | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 45
BP Cafeterias Earn 52 Black Diamond Awards from the ACHS The Allegheny County Health Department recently concluded its unannounced fall inspections of all Bethel Park School District cafeterias and awarded Black Diamonds to all eight school cafeterias. • Neil Armstrong Middle School – 11 Black Diamonds • Memorial Elementary School – 7 Black Diamonds • Independence Middle School – 6 Black Diamonds • Franklin Elementary School – 6 Black Diamonds • Washington Elementary School – 6 Black Diamonds • William Penn Elementary School – 6 Black Diamonds • Bethel Park High School – 5 Black Diamonds • Lincoln Elementary School – 5 Black Diamonds Black Diamonds are the highest awards given by the Allegheny County Health Department and are given only to those facilities that demonstrate exceptional food handling and sanitation practices. Metz Culinary Management is the food service provider for the Bethel Park School District. Joe Consolmagno is the district’s food service director.
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Bethel Park | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 47
For as long as some Pennsylvania residents can remember they have sat down four times a year and filled out a small postcard. This small postcard asked you to list your wages, calculate approximately 1 percent of your earnings and mail a check to your local earned income tax collector in your community municipal building. But in 2012, every Bethel Park Borough taxpayer can cross one more chore off their to-do list thanks to a new state mandate. Beginning Jan. 1, all employers who have work sites in the commonwealth are required by Act 32 of 2008 to withhold all earned income taxes from every employee. And all employees have to do is make sure they have filled out a residency certification form. “The legislation affects every single municipality and school district in Pennsylvania,” says Mitch Hoffman, local government policy manager at the state Department of Community and Economic Development. “That in itself is huge. In addition, it also affects every single taxpayer and every single business that operates in Pennsylvania.”
Earned income taxes have been a fixture in Pennsylvania since 1965. At the time, state lawmakers imposed the levy to allow local entities such as school districts and municipalities to raise more funds. “It provided an avenue for local taxing bodies to impose a tax to help fund their operating costs, and it was only imposed on people who actually had earned income, not those who were retired or were not working,” says Hoffman. Earned income tax is unique to Pennsylvania. Neighboring states have similar structures in place, but they are not identical. In theory, the tax is simple. Anyone who works in the state pays on average a 1 percent tax four times a year. Some townships, boroughs and school districts tax a bit higher and some a bit lower. And to pay their bill, an employer could withhold the tax from an employee’s pay or the employees themselves could calculate their tax and send it to their local earned income tax collector. But from the start, issues arose. Pennsylvania has one of the highest numbers of local municipalities
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in the country, and at one point, there were up to 560 different earned income tax offices in the state, says Hoffman. “It was very fractured and very convoluted. There was no consistency in collections, no consistency in annual returns and no consistency in transfer of records from one tax collector to another.” Confusion about where to send taxes also abounded for companies that are headquartered out of state but have a plethora of work sites and thousands of employees in Pennsylvania. “Many of these companies did withhold the tax, but with so many different collectors it was difficult for them to comply with all the expectations,” says Hoffman. The cumbersome structure also was not attractive to new business endeavors as it created one more regulation interested companies had to comply with when they opened a site in Pennsylvania. Within decades, people started to question the structure used to collect earned income tax.
By 2002, various organizations sought change and restructuring. Their pleas were supported by a study commissioned by the Pennsylvania Economy League among other entities. The study found that millions of dollars across the state were not being accounted for correctly and millions of potential tax dollars were not being collected at all. The actual amount always remained uncertain, says Hoffman. “I talk to employers every day who have had work sites in Pennsylvania for years and have never collected the tax. We are not just dealing with Pennsylvania businesses though, this hits businesses across North America.” Change was slow to come, but in 2008, state lawmakers passed Act 32 and its effects were so far reaching it gave local municipalities and school districts three years to implement its regulations. Under the new law, the burden related to the tax has shifted from employees to their employers. Every employer in Pennsylvania is required to have each employee fill out a one page local earned income tax residency certification form by year’s end. On the form, employees list their address, municipality and county of residence. This information matches to a municipality specific code ensuring the tax dollars are automatically withheld and end up at the correct tax collector. Throughout Pennsylvania, except in Allegheny County, earned income tax collector positions were eliminated or altered as taxes will go to a county level tax collector chosen by a tax collection district made up of representatives from every municipality and school district in the specific county. In Allegheny County, four collection districts were chosen to
d e n i a l p Ex better serve the area’s unique demographics, says Hoffman. “The four collection districts are separated by the rivers. Allegheny County is different than anywhere else in the state due to its diverse populations and number of corporations.”
In addition to the more centralized structure, the law has other oversight and accountability features. There are explicit time frames set out for the distribution of dollars as well as training and certification for all tax officers. There also are penalties for late payments and annual auditing, says Hoffman. “All of these are built in to guarantee the amount of monies being collected are collected properly, remitted properly and distributed properly.” Filing returns also will be more uniform throughout the state. “Some local returns were several pages, some half a page and some had none at all. Now there is a standard form for all of Pennsylvania and all the tax collectors are required to use it. We now have consistency.” Bethel Park Borough Finance Director Mark Romito expects the positive outcomes predicted to come to fruition in time. “Eventually, it will be beneficial, but there is definitely some uncertainty expected in the first year.” Starting in January, Jordan Tax Service will take over earned income tax collection as Allegheny County’s southwest region tax collector. For residents, he foresees a few, small changes. “The biggest thing for our residents is they will see a change in their paycheck and a change in what they do as far as paying their taxes.” In 2011, Bethel Park expects to collect approximately $6.8 million dollars in earned income taxes. “All around, we believe the changes will be helpful to Bethel Park.”
Bethel Park | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 49
PARENTS: The Lender of Last Resort am at Dave DeLallo’s Restaurant for lunch. I should be thinking about how good these butternut squash ravioli taste but I have an issue on my mind. Why do so many of my “baby boomer” clients get involved with their kids financial needs? Why do so many kids lean on their parents for financial support? Why did the last generation handle this situation differently? I know that I am worried that these “baby boomer” clients could hurt their own finances with these family activities! Many young adults struggle with making big-ticket purchases for items such as new cars or a home when borrowing is a requirement. With modest incomes and limited credit histories, they often have difficulty finding a lender who will help make the purchase financially possible. In the case of obtaining a mortgage, a bank or other financial institution may require a significant down payment before approving a loan. Where can the money be found? An obvious source, and one that many adult children turn to, is their parents. But a loan of this type carries unique risks for both the parents and their son or daughter. If you are considering turning to the bank of Mom and Dad (or you are the bank of Mom and Dad), it is important to realize that an intra-family loan comes with complications that don’t exist in a traditional loan transactions. Here are some important questions each side should consider before money changes hands:
I
Questions a son or daughter should consider: 1. Is your intent to treat this as a loan? There is a temptation to borrow money with the hope that someday your parents might forgive the debt and the loan will become a gift. This can’t happen with a bank. Borrowing money from parents should be done in good faith, with every intention of paying it back. 2. Does your relationship allow this type of transaction to occur without strain? If you already get along with your parents, are you putting that relationship
at risk? If there is tension between you and your parents already, will a loan make it unbearable? You need to be prepared for the potential psychological baggage that comes with borrowing money from parents. 3. Are your parents in a position to help? Your parents might seem rich to you when you are first starting your professional career, but remember that they have their own financial challenges ahead–like having enough money for retirement. Consider whether you’re putting your parents under financial pressure just to make your life easier. Questions for parents to consider: 1. What is your motivation? If your intention is to help improve your child’s financial circumstances, lending him or her money may be a welcome and smart move. But if your underlying motivation is to retain some sort of control over his or her financial life, the value of your involvement may be questionable and could cause bigger problems down the road. 2. Can you handle a default on the loan? This is a two-part question. First, are you willing to put your money at risk and live with the potential that it may not be fully repaid? Second, if this circumstance occurs, will it affect your relationship with your child? 3. Is your involvement really required? The real question here is whether your child is already living beyond his or her means, and expecting a loan from you to subsidize an unsustainable lifestyle. Making money available so your child can continue to over-extend financially may not be doing him or her any favors in the long run. A key to success: formalize the transaction If the decision is made to establish a loan from parents to a child, don’t take it lightly. It should be treated similarly to a loan coming from a financial institution. That includes documentation specifying:
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The amount of the loan The length of time the borrower has to repay the loan The applicable interest rate (the rate can’t be overly generous without the IRS raising issues about it appearing to be a gift) The frequency and minimum amount of the payments required of the borrower
Make sure all expectations are clear to both the lender and borrower and that both parties sign any agreement. Future problems can be avoided if the terms of the loan are settled at the outset and clearly stated in writing. Parents can even opt to find a third party to administer the loan. The child then makes payments directly to the third party who passes payments on to the parents. If payments are late, the administrator is expected make follow-up calls to the child so his or her parents don’t have to act a collections agent. This type of arrangement can even allow the child’s repayment record to be included in his or her credit history-another incentive for adult children to take the repayment process seriously. It’s important to review the many benefits and consequences as adult children and as parents when considering and intra-family loan to avoid conflict and financial stress.
412-831-6240 daniel.e.martin@ampf.com www.ameripriseadvisors.com/daniel.e.martin
Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients. © 2011 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.
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This was written by Dan Martin, Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial (formerly American Express Financial Advisors). Contact his office in Bethel Park at 412.831.6240 ext. 208 or by e-mail: daniel.e.martin@ampf.com. Be sure to ask your sales representative about the insurance policy’s features, benefits and fees, and whether the insurance is appropriate for you, based upon your financial situation and objectives. Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients. © 2011 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved
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Bethel Park | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 51
We would like to thank everyone who came to the Nutcracker performance this year! The show was phenomenal and we look forward to another season of great performances! We here at Pittsburgh Youth Ballet wish all of your families a magical Christmas and Happy New Year!
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PA026656 Bethel Park | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 53
For life insurance, call a good neighbor. Chuck Falkowski, Agent 2924 S Park Road Bethel Park, PA 15102 Bus: 412-831-8010 chuck@turn2chuck.com P092014
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FRUSTRATED OVER HEARING LOSS?
Attorney John McIlvaine
hen we were younger adults, we had a different set of concerns and focus. Career choices, finding love, raising our kids, providing for our family financially and how to pay for a house. Now as mature adults, everything changes. Our focus shifts to maintaining our Health so we can enjoy what we worked so hard for, throughout our lives. We want to travel a little more, remain social and enjoy the Grandchildr en. That takes not only energy, but the ability to hear and communicate with our world. We all want to remain in control of our lives and stay active, sexy, healthy and youthful, as long as possible! Admit it, we all want to love be loved, and to enjoy this life! In the past several years, my life began to slowly change and actually turned into a very lonely and isolated existence. The ones I loved th e most didn’t even want to talk with me and were very frustrated with me. My Grandchildren, who mean the world to me, would talk to their Grandmother like I wasn’t even in the room. They constantly repeated their words to me, like I was an idiot and would finally raise their voices like they were mad at me. I finally quit asking them to repeat because I was embarrassed and quite frankly, didn’t want them t o know I didn’t understand what they said. The distance between us was becoming so devastating to me, that I found myself really quite sad and even depressed at times. As for my wife, it was like living with a stranger after almost 47 years of marriage. I think she was even more frustrated than I was! Finally, I decided to look for help. Where would I go? There are ads everywhere I looked, including in my mailbox! They all looked alike. I remember thinking, “I don’t care what I pay for Hearing help- it’s too much if it doesn’t work! I don’t want to go from one place to another, searching for the best Hearing Aid at the cheapest price, and then end up putting it in the drawer! I have too many friends who have done that. I just feel like my life is out of control!” Finally, one of my best friends told me about
Debra Swift, B.C.-H.I.S. Leslie Dunst Original Founder/President MS.-CCCA 25 yr. + Senior Audiologist
Swift Audiology and showed me his very discreet Hearing Aid. I literally had to get right up to his ear and study it, to even see it! He had compared several different practices and Professionals. He decided he would be in the best hands with Swift Audiology. They offered a 45 day no risk trial period for return, or he could actually exchange the hearing instruments he chose for another type or brand, for up to 90 days. He couldn’t lose! In talking with him, he was very happy with his hearing results and with Swift Audiology. Debra Swift, founder and President, has 25 years experience in practice. She utilizes the latest state of the art testing and fitting computers. She has built her practice from the ground up, has three locations and employs only highly credentialed Professionals. She gave him seve ral different options and price ranges to choose from, to meet his needs. Another favorable thing about Swift Audiology, is that they offer a wide variety of brands and manufacturers, so you know you aren’t locked into just one type. He said Debra really explained everything to him in a way he clearly was able to understand and was able make his own choice, from the options presented, that he felt comforta ble with. YOU GUESSED IT! I went to Swift Audiology and I couldn’t be happier I did! I am hearing again, I feel like my life is back to normal, and my family is actually talking to me again! They are just as happy as I am! I asked myself why I waited and suffered so long? Why would anyone choose to live with hearing loss that is so frustrating, when it just takes a visit to Swift Audiology to get your quality of life back! This Hearing Instrument that I wear isn’t even noticed by anyone unless I show them! It was affordable with the payment terms I arranged, and every dime is worth it. I have spent more money on things that come and go, with no benefit to me, or my family, long term! I learned that wearing hearing aids actually has a rehabilitative benefit to my ability to understand speech and for my brain to remain sharper. The benefits I experience daily with the
Melissa Carnes AuD., Dr. of Audiology
OPEN, RECEIVER-IN-THE-CANAL, are too many to described! They not only help me communicate with my family again, without frustration, but they have helped me in my work and social life immensely! I love the outdoors and the sounds of nature and animals. Nothing makes me happier than hearing all of those sounds and experiencing the beauty of this e arth again! Talk about stress relief! I didn’t realize how tense I was from NOT hearing, until I could hear again. Nor could I even imagine how much I was really missing! The consequences of doing nothing, are far worse than the little bit of money and time it took to get me back to feeling like myself again! Why don’t you just pick up the phone and call Swift Audiology like I did. Consider me a friend, and take my advice, you won’t be sorry you did! Call them at 724-942-4700. You can even call toll free at 1-877-459-4413. They are even offering a special program right now. You can save a significant amount of money and get free batteries and extra warranties!
Leslie Myers AuD., Dr. of Audiology
Bethel Park | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 55
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